Greektown Casino today will begin the process of hiring some 400 full-time workers for its permanent hotel, scheduled to open in January.
"We're seeking high-caliber applicants from the city of Detroit and elsewhere to staff what will be a world-class hotel resort," said Craig Ghelfi, Greektown's CEO.
Detroit. One ghetto, three insolvent auto manufacturers, three casinos, and another one (Caesar's Windsor) just across the river in Canada. The Greektown Casino is laughable because it is in the process of building a very ritzy hotel (with 400 luxury rooms), a new parking garage, and an expanded gaming floor. But oops ... wait. The Greektown Casino filed for bankruptcy in May. Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the nation - near 10% (government's figures) - and the nation, as a whole, is diving into a Depression. The casino files for bankruptcy as revenues go poof, yet management continues along with its plan to expand, including extreme luxury accommodations. The funny part is this: the casino is just down the street from my office, and it's been under remodeling/construction. No big deal; it's not that bad that you can't pardon the dust. But casino officials claim the reason that gaming revenues have tanked in recent months is because .... the construction turned away customers who thought the casino was closed. How's that for a snookered tilt from reality?
With MGM, Motor City Casino, and Greektown all building massive luxury projects after the boom has busted (hello?), I guarantee these ritzy casinos, along with their upscale lodging and dining, will be bankrupt and vacant in a very short time.
Oh well. Join all the other vacant buildings in the city, I guess.
